The DSM (psychiatry’s Bible) came out with a revised and updated version in 2013 with oodles of controversy. Along with weird restructuring, the Powers that Be (think Nicene Council with prescription privileges) dropped some diagnoses and added others. One that gained full blessing of the Holy Order was Binge Eating Disorder (BED). It came with criteria and suggested treatment. No one paid too much attention.

But in the two years since, more and more providers are taking BED seriously. Drugs used to treat ADD and ADHD have been somewhat successful in treating the compulsive/impulsive aspects of BED. Cross-training has always been the drug companies’ bread and butter.

In a casual conversation last week with my nurse practitioner, I mentioned how I gave up trying to lose weight this year. She asked a few questions, then said I met every single criteria in the BED diagnosis:

Recurrent and persistent episodes of binge eating

Binge eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:

Eating much more rapidly than normal

Eating until feeling uncomfortably full

Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry

Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating

Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating

Marked distress regarding binge eating

Absence of regular compensatory behaviors (such as purging).

She knows I’ve managed bipolar disorder without medication for five years, but she wondered if I might want to try Vyvanse, the current darling drug for BED.

Vyvanse is, basically, Speed, so we both knew mania and insomnia could be side effects. Great. But, since I’m sensitive to medication, I’d probably know right away if the spin was more that I could handle. We also talked briefly about self-monitoring and keeping charts (I’m boss at keeping charts).

So, what the NP and I decided was to wait until I was out of my Mean Season and more stable, then start Vyvanse mid-May.

All my life I’ve dreamed of a magic pill. I doubt this is it. But, what have I got to lose besides a few nights sleep and some mad spring cleaning? At least I get official credit for something I’ve known all my life—I have little to no control over what I put in my mouth. No diet, motivational bestseller, or cognitive therapy ever touches that wild and mindless drive.

Not that I’m looking for more craziness to add to my resume, but there’s comfort in being recognized. I’m not lazy or lacking in willpower. I’m not weak. My brain just works differently than most people’s. Funny how that keeps coming up.